Chapter 23
Carina
The smell of melting chocolate and the sound of laughter draw us to the kitchen like magnets.
William and I pause in the doorway, taking in the scene before us.
Travis is at the stove, spatula in hand, while Knox sits on the counter despite there being perfectly good chairs available, licking batter from a spoon.
"Is that sanitary?" William asks, but there's no real heat in it.
Knox grins, unrepentant. "It's Christmas. Sanitary standards are relaxed."
"Since when?"
"Since now." Knox holds out the spoon. "Want some? Travis made the batter from scratch."
"Of course he did," I say, moving into the kitchen. "Because normal people don't make elaborate breakfasts on Christmas morning."
"Normal people don't have a professional chef in their residence either," Travis counters, flipping a pancake with practiced ease. "Besides, I wanted to do something special."
"You mean you stress-bake when you're worried," Knox says, hopping down off the counter. "He's been up since five."
"Four-thirty," Travis corrects. "And I wasn't worried. I was... contemplating."
"Worrying," Knox insists.
I hip-check Knox gently, stealing his spoon. The batter is rich and dark, with hints of vanilla and something else. "Is that espresso?"
"Just a touch," Travis confirms. "To enhance the chocolate flavor."
"It's perfect." I turn to William, who's still hovering in the doorway like he's not sure if he’s welcome. "Come taste."
He moves forward cautiously, and I feed him a small spoonful of batter. His eyes close briefly as he savors it.
"That's... really good."
"Don't sound so surprised," Travis says dryly. "I do have skills beyond my business-minded nature."
"Many skills," I add with a leer that makes Travis blush.
"So," Knox says, looking between William and me. "Are we going to talk about the fact that you two are finally down here so late this morning? Or that Will actually looks... relaxed?"
"I'm always relaxed," William argues.
The other three of us exchange looks, then burst out laughing.
"What?" William demands. "I can be relaxed."
"Sure," Knox says. "And I can be quiet."
"And I can be spontaneous," Travis adds.
"And I can resist carbs," I finish.
William's trying to look offended, but his lips are twitching. "I came down here to be nice, and this is what I get?"
"Aw, he came to be nice," Knox coos. "Christmas miracle!"
"Actually," I intervene before they can really get going, "William has some things to say."
The teasing atmosphere shifts, becoming more serious. Travis turns from the stove, giving William his full attention.
"Right." William clears his throat. "I've been... that is, the last few days..."
"You've been a complete asshole," Knox supplies helpfully.
"Knox," Travis warns.
"What? We're all thinking it."
"I was going to say I've been struggling with the situation," William continues, shooting Knox a look. "But yes, complete asshole works too."
"Will," I prompt gently.
He takes a breath. "I'm giving everyone their phones back. The schedules are cancelled. The rules... I'm sorry. I let fear override everything else."
"Wow," Knox says after a moment. "That was almost like a real apology. From William. At Christmas. Should we check for flying pigs?"
"I'm trying here," William grumbles.
"We know." Travis abandons the pancakes to come closer. "And we appreciate it. We all handle stress differently."
"You create spreadsheets, Knox paints, Will goes full dictator," I summarize. "And I cook. Speaking of which, those pancakes smell done."
Travis swears, rushing back to rescue breakfast. In the chaos that follows—plating pancakes, finding syrup, Knox stealing bacon—the tension dissipates. By the time we're all seated around the kitchen island, it feels like we've hit reset.
"These are incredible," I tell Travis, moaning a little at the first bite. The pancakes are slightly crispy outside, fluffy inside, with lots of melted chocolate chips throughout.
"I may have outdone myself," Travis admits.
"Modesty doesn't suit you," William says, then seems surprised by his own teasing.
"Look who's developing a sense of humor," Knox marvels. "What's next, Will? Casual Fridays? Dance parties?"
"Let's not get carried away."
We all continue eating, devouring our food. When Knox brings up the photographers still camped outside our gates, William doesn't spiral. When Travis mentions the board meeting scheduled for tomorrow, no one panics. We're facing it together now, as partners.
"Present time!" Knox announces once the dishes are cleared. He's practically vibrating with excitement. "I've been dying to give you guys your gifts."
"You got us gifts?" I ask, surprised. "When?"
"I'm resourceful." He winks. "Also, online shopping is a beautiful thing."
We move to the living room, where a small pile of wrapped gifts waits under the tree we decorated together. It seems like a lifetime ago, but it's only been a couple weeks.
"Me first," Knox insists, handing out packages with enthusiasm. "Open them together. It's a set."
We unwrap carefully—or in Knox's case, tear into the paper like a five-year-old. Inside are matching leather journals, each embossed with our initials.
"For documenting our journey," Knox explains, suddenly shy. "I thought... we're building something new here. Something that doesn't have a roadmap. Maybe we should write it down as we go."
"Knox," Travis says softly. "This is perfect."
"Really?" Knox brightens. "I wasn't sure if it was too girlie or—"
"It's perfect," William confirms, running his fingers over the embossed letters. "Thank you."
Travis goes next, producing small boxes that turn out to contain watches. Not just any watches—vintage pieces he's clearly spent time finding.
"They're synchronized," he explains. "No matter where we are, we're on the same time. Together even when we're apart."
"Travis," I breathe, fastening mine carefully. It's delicate, beautiful, with a rose gold face that catches the light. "This must have cost—"
"Worth it," he cuts me off. "You're worth it. All of you."
William clears his throat, looking uncharacteristically nervous as he hands out his gifts. They're in plain envelopes, which seems odd until we open them.
"Plane tickets?" Knox reads. "To... where?"
"Open-ended tickets," William clarifies. "To anywhere you want to go. Valid for a year. I thought... when this mess is over, we could travel. Together. See the world."
"Will," I say, touched by the gesture. "This is—"
"It's hope," he says simply. "That we'll get through this. That there's an after."
"There's always an after," Travis says firmly.
"Group hug!" Knox declares, and before anyone can argue with him, we're all tangled together, laughing and trying not to cry and holding on like we might never let go.
When we finally separate, I realize I haven't given my gift. "Mine's not wrapped. And it's not bought. But... wait here."
I escape to the kitchen, returning with a tray of small plates. On each is a dessert I've been secretly working on—individual chocolate soufflés with gold leaf and raspberry coulis.
"When did you even make these?" Travis asks, amazed.
"Early this morning. Before..." I glance at William. "Before I went to wake William. I wanted to make something special. Something that says what I can't always put into words."
"Which is?" Knox prompts, already digging into his soufflé.
"That you're worth the effort. All of you. That complicated doesn't mean impossible. That..." I pause, searching for words. "That you all are my family now. Messy and complex and absolutely worth fighting for, no matter how tough things get."
"Carina," William says roughly.
"Don't you dare cry," Knox warns, pointing his spoon at William. "If you cry, I'll cry, and then Travis will cry, and we'll all be a mess."
"Too late," Travis says, wiping his eyes.
And then we're all laughing and crying and eating chocolate for breakfast on Christmas morning. The photographers outside don't matter. The board's disapproval feels distant. Dylan's threats seem manageable.
After we finish the soufflés, there's chocolate on Knox's lips and happiness is in the air. The Christmas tree lights cast everything in a warm glow, and for the first time in days, I think we all feel truly present with each other. The stress has finally lifted.
"You have..." I reach over to wipe the chocolate from Knox's mouth, but he catches my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm.
"Leave it," he murmurs. "I'm saving it for later."
"That's gross," William says, but his eyes are warm as he watches us.
"Everything about our relationship would horrify the health department," Travis points out. "Four people sharing... everything."
"Speaking of sharing," Knox says, that mischievous glint in his eye, "I think we should celebrate properly. It is Christmas, after all."
The atmosphere shifts, and heat radiates through me. I don't even have to ask what he's thinking. William sets down his plate with deliberate care.
"What did you have in mind?" he asks, voice lower than usual.
"I think," Knox says slowly, "that we should show Carina exactly how grateful we are. For the dessert. For staying. For choosing us."
"All of us," Travis adds quietly.
They look at me, waiting. This is still new territory—all four of us together intentionally, not just caught up in a moment. But after everything we've been through, after William's breakthrough this morning, it feels right.
"Yes," I say simply. "Yes, to all of you."
Knox is the first to move, pulling me into his lap with easy strength. "Been dying to touch you properly for days," he murmurs against my neck. "Watching Will try to control everything when all we wanted was this..."
His hands slide up my thighs, bunching the fabric of my dress. William moves behind me on the couch, his chest solid against my back as his fingers work at the zipper of my dress.